Glass cleaning device and method

ABSTRACT

A glass cleaning device. Aspects of the device include a flexible and/or elastic cage capable of holding a glass in place and a rotary element within the cage. The cage preferably includes spring(s) and leg(s) connected to the spring(s). The spring(s) may be a circular spring. The leg(s) preferably are made of flexible and/or elastic material. The cage preferably includes connector(s) for the spring(s) to the leg(s) that permit the spring(s) to move through them. A flexible and/or elastic restraining band around at least a portion of the cage may also be included. In some aspects, the rotary element within the cage is a brush, which may be covered with a linen when used. Also, associated methods.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to a glass cleaning device and method, for example as may be used in a bar or restaurant or at home.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the subject technology include a glass cleaning device. The device may include a flexible and/or elastic cage capable of holding a glass in place and a rotary element within the cage. The cage preferably includes spring(s) and leg(s) connected to the spring(s). The spring(s) may be a circular spring. The leg(s) preferably are made of flexible and/or elastic material. The cage preferably includes connector(s) for spring(s) to the leg(s) that permit the spring(s) to move through them. A flexible and/or elastic restraining band around at least a portion of the cage may also be included. In some aspects, the rotary element within the cage is a brush, which may be covered with a linen when used. Aspects of the subject technology also include associated methods.

The subject technology also includes systems configured to perform the above techniques.

This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of the invention may be understood quickly. Additional steps and/or different steps than those set forth in this summary may be used. A more complete understanding of the invention may be obtained by reference to the following description in connection with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a glass cleaning device according to aspects of the subject technology.

FIG. 2 illustrates additional possible aspects of a glass cleaning device according to the subject technology.

FIG. 3 illustrates preparation for using a glass cleaning device according to aspects of the subject technology.

FIG. 4 illustrates aspects of the subject technology in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In more detail, cleaning glasses in a restaurant or bar setting can be a cumbersome and time consuming process. While a dishwasher, “three sink sanitizer,” and/or other devices may and often are used, the glasses many time do not end up having a bright polish and shine both inside and outside. Thus, an employee may be tasked with manually polishing the glasses. Manual polishing can be a time-consuming process especially when business is busy and a lot of glasses have to be polished.

Glass cleaning devices do exist. Some of them include a rotating brush over which glasses are repeatedly placed. While certain chemicals are often used along with the rotating brush, certain contaminants and/or pathogens may build up on the brush. Some of these contaminants and/or pathogens may be immune to those chemicals. For example, certain contaminants may be too large for full penetration of the chemicals. For another example, some bacteria and viruses are actually “hardened” (e.g., form a shell but do not die) when exposed to certain chemicals. For yet another example, certain pathogenic (i.e., bacterial, viral, and mold) spores and prions are utterly immune to alcohol, chemicals used in most restaurants and bars, and even many chemicals used in hospitals. Thus, use of these devices may lead to transmission of illness from one person (e.g., patron) to another.

Similar issues may be present in any place where glasses should or must be repeatedly cleaned, including but not limited to in a home context.

The subject technology attempts to address these and other issues with a new glass cleaning device. Aspects of the device include a flexible and/or elastic cage capable of holding a glass in place and a rotary element within the cage. The cage preferably includes spring(s) and leg(s) connected to the spring(s). The spring(s) may be a circular spring. The leg(s) preferably are made of flexible and/or elastic material. The cage preferably includes connector(s) for spring(s) to the leg(s) that permit the spring(s) to move through them. A flexible and/or elastic restraining band around at least a portion of the cage may also be included. In some aspects, the rotary element within the cage is a brush, which may be covered with a linen when used. Aspects of the subject technology also include associated methods.

In more detail, FIG. 1 illustrates a glass cleaning device according to aspects of the subject technology. Glass cleaning device 10 includes flexible and/or elastic cage 11 capable of holding a glass in place and rotary element 12 within the cage. The cage preferably is flexible and/or elastic in order to permit easy insertion of a glass over the rotary element while still holding the glass in place after insertion. The rotary element may be a brush, for example a cylindrical glass cleaning brush.

The cage illustrated in FIG. 1 include one or more springs 13 at one end of the device. For example, a single circular spring may be used. Alternatively, multiple springs may be linked together. Other flexible and/or elastic elements and/or devices may also be used instead of or in conjunction with spring(s).

One or more legs 14 are connected to the spring(s) in FIG. 1. The legs preferably also are flexible and/or elastic, for example made from flexible and/or elastic metal, rubber, and/or plastic. While five legs are illustrated, and number of legs may be used.

Connector(s) 15 for the spring(s) to the leg(s) are also illustrated. The connector(s) preferably permit the spring(s) to move freely through them. For example, the connector(s) may be circular or square rings. Thus, the top of cage 11 may be expanded to accommodate insertion of a glass and then may contract to help hold the glass in place during cleaning.

Flexible and/or elastic restraining band 16 may also be included to assist with holding a glass in place after insertion. The restraining band may be a rubber band, some other flexible and/or elastic material, one or more spring(s), or the like. Alternatively, the restraining band may be omitted, or additional restraining bands may be used.

Also illustrated in FIG. 1 is base 17 to which legs 14 are attached. Connector 18 permits attachment of at least some portion of the device, for example rotary element 12, to a motor. In some aspects, the connector is or includes a hex bit for attachment to a motor such as a power drill (e.g., a wireless power drill). Other arrangements may be used.

FIG. 2 illustrates additional possible aspects of a glass cleaning device according to the subject technology. This figure shows device 20 substantially along the lines of the one illustrated in FIG. 1 along with motor 21. Again, the motor may be a power drill. However, any other motor capable to causing the rotary element to rotate may be used. Manual spinning of the rotary device may also be performed, for example by inclusion of a handle in place of motor 21.

FIG. 3 illustrates preparation for using a glass cleaning device according to aspects of the subject technology. This figure illustrates insertion of linen 31 (e.g., a napkin) into device 30. Reference numeral 32 shows that the linen is placed at least partially of a rotary element of the device.

Of note, the use of a linen in this fashion permits changing out the linen between cleaning glasses. Thus, any accumulated contaminants and/or pathogens may be removed between cleaning glasses.

The figure also illustrates that rotation of rotary element 33 will result in cleaning and polishing of both an inside and an outside of a glass placed over the linen within the device. Use of a motor such as a power drill is likely to result in rapid such cleaning and polishing. The advantages of such rapid cleaning and polishing would be beneficial to anyone in the restaurant and/or bar industry, people with busy home live, and other contexts.

FIG. 4 illustrates aspects of the subject technology in use. Glass cleaning device 40 is illustrated with linen 41 and glass 42 inserted. Use of a linen is preferred but not essential. For example, an interior of the cage may be covered with some polishing element such as a fabric, and the brush also may or may not be so covered. In addition, while a beer (e.g., pint) glass is illustrated, any other type of glass including but not limited to a wine glass may be inserted.

When rotary element 43 such as a brush is rotated within the glass, both an inside and an outside of the glass will be cleaned and polished by the linen. More efficient cleaning and/or polishing of glasses thereby likely may be achieved. In addition, the linen may then be changed out between each operation or after a certain number of operations thereby reducing a likelihood of transmitting potential contaminants and/or pathogens between glasses.

The invention is in no way limited to the specifics of any particular embodiments and examples disclosed herein. For example, the terms “aspect,” “example,” “preferably,” “alternatively,” and the like denote features that may be preferable but not essential to include in some embodiments of the invention. In addition, details illustrated or disclosed with respect to any one aspect of the invention may be used with other aspects of the invention. Additional elements and/or steps may be added to various aspects of the invention and/or some disclosed elements and/or steps may be subtracted from various aspects of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. Singular elements/steps imply plural elements/steps and vice versa. Some steps may be performed serially, in parallel, in a pipelined manner, or in different orders than disclosed herein. Many other variations are possible which remain within the content, scope, and spirit of the invention, and these variations would become clear to those skilled in the art after perusal of this application. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A glass cleaning device comprising: a flexible and/or elastic cage capable of holding a glass in place; and a rotary element within the cage.
 2. The glass cleaning device as in claim 1, wherein the cage further comprises: one or more springs at one end of the device; and one or more legs connected to the one or more springs.
 3. The glass cleaning device as in claim 2, wherein the one or more springs comprise a circular spring.
 4. The glass cleaning device as in claim 2, wherein the one or more legs comprise flexible and/or elastic material.
 5. The glass cleaning device as in claim 4, wherein the flexible and/or elastic material comprises metal, rubber, or plastic.
 6. The glass cleaning device as in claim 2, wherein the cage further comprises one or more connectors for the one or more springs to the one or more legs, and wherein the connectors permit the one or more springs to move through the one or more connectors.
 7. The glass cleaning device as in claim 1, wherein the cage further comprises a flexible and/or elastic restraining band around at least a portion of the cage.
 8. The glass cleaning device as in claim 1, wherein the rotary element comprises a brush.
 9. The glass cleaning device as in claim 1, further comprising a motor or a connector to a motor capable of spinning the rotary element.
 10. The glass cleaning device as in claim 1, wherein the connector to the motor comprises a hex bit.
 11. A method of cleaning a glass comprising steps of: inserting a glass into a flexible and/or elastic cage; and spinning a rotary element within the glass while inserted into the cage.
 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising a step of inserting a linen inside the cage over the rotary element before inserting the glass.
 13. The method as in claim 11, wherein the cage further comprises: one or more springs at one end of the device; and one or more legs connected to the one or more springs.
 14. The method as in claim 13, wherein the one or more springs comprise a circular spring.
 15. The method as in claim 13, wherein the one or more legs comprise flexible and/or elastic material.
 16. The method as in claim 13, wherein the cage further comprises one or more connectors for the one or more springs to the one or more legs, and wherein the connectors permit the one or more springs to move through the one or more connectors.
 17. The method as in claim 11, wherein the cage further comprises a flexible and/or elastic restraining band around at least a portion of the cage.
 18. The method as in claim 11, wherein the rotary element comprises a brush.
 19. The method as in claim 11, further comprising a step of spinning the brush using a motor.
 20. The method as in claim 19, wherein the motor is part of a power drill. 